The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-06-03
In the Nick of Tine.
A MURDERER's LIFE SAVED ON THE soAF-
FOLD.


MURDERER's LIFE SAVED ON THE soAF-
FOLD.
Governor Gordons respite of Jacob
Leggett, the wife murderer, who was
to have been hanged in Reidsville,
Georgia, on Friday last, reached the
Sheriff of the county just in time to
save Leggett's neck. The respite was
not granted until Thursday morning,
but as Reidsville is forty.five miles
from the nearest railway station, and
there is no telegraphic communication
with the place, the question which
bothered the Go, ernor was how to
reach the Sheriff. A telegram was
sent to Johnstown Station, on the Savan
nah, Florida and Western Railroad,
and thence had to be sent by messen.
ger about forty-five miles across the
country to its destination. As double
precaution, Colonel Clifton, Leggett's g
attorney, was telegraphed at Savannah
to start for Reidsville at once and de-
liver in person the order to suspend the
execution of the sentence. He started
on Thursday afternoon by rail for
Johnstown Station, and thence began
his ride of forty-fve miles through
swamps and lowlands and dense pine
woods for Reidsville. Nothing was
heard from him by the State officers
until Saturday, and in the meantime
nobody knew whether Leggett was
hanged or not. The correspondent is
now able to give the details of the saw
ing of Leggett's life after the moose
had been tightened about his neck.
ON THE sCAFFoLD.
1t was generally understood through
out the country that Leggett would be
hanged in the forenoon. The sun was
not two hours high when people began
arriving in Reidsville, some on foot,
others on horseback, and many in the
cracker carts. The scaffold had been
erected in the field quarter of a mile
from the village. Thither the crowd
moved, and steadily grew in numbers
Leggett took breakfast at seven O'Clock
and soon afterward clergyman was
admitted to his cell. The condemned
man talked of the murder of his wife
said he was sorry for it and expressed
a hope of forgiveness. He had not re-
ceived any intimation that a reprieye
would be granted, and he went abou,
preparing to pay the penalty of hi
crime. At 1880 he was handcuffed
and, surrounded by deputy sheriffs, wa,
driven to the scaffold. Fully 1906
persons had collected there, and an i'm
mense crowd followed Leggett and hi,
guards fiom the town. Dozens OF mer
and boys had climbed up into the tree,
to get better view. Hundreds NOR,
swarmed over the carts, standing OF
the wheels and seats, anywhere an(
everywhere that foothold offered. Al
the prisoner ascended the scaffold, /,
low buzz of excited comment aros,
from the throng. After few minutes
of prayer and short confession from
the murderer the Sheriff slipped tn,
moose over Leggett's head and care
fully tightened the rope around hi
neck and adjusted the knot. Then tn
black cap was put on and pulled dow
over his face. He had walked up OF
the gallows with firm step, ant
showed little sign of nervousness in hi
voice as he sang and prayed. He di
not falter when placed on the fata
trap, and held his hands back to hav
them tied together. His ankles wer
next bound tightly with stout rope.
ARRIVAL OF THE MESSENGER.
| Colonel Clifton was in his bed in Sa
vannah when he received the Telegram
from Governor Gordon granting a re
spite. lie took the train for Johnston
Station, on the Savannah, Florida an
Western Railway, and from there h
had forty-five miles to drive throug
a country not noted for its good road
The breaking of trace or an axle @
anything happening to either of tn
horses, or any one of hundred acc
dents was liable to delay him and pr,
vent his reaching Reidsville before tn
trap was sprung. While Leggett wa
watching through his cell window th
first CLEANS of dawn his faithful Law
yer was urging swift pair of horse
across the country at a gait that CO..
cred them with foam. The hours spe
, by with equal rapidity to the prison,
, and to the man who was Fastening ,
save his life. The Sheriff had ju
turned to step down off the scaffol
preparatory to cutting the rope whic
held the trap, when Colonel Clifto
pushed his way into the crowd an
shouted:
Il "Mr. Sheriff, have here messae
from Governor Gordon directed
, YOU
Il "Come this way and let me see it
answered the Sheriff.
For a moment not whisper was u
tered. Every one held hs breat
The crowd divided and made way f,
. the lawyer to pass to the foot of Il
, gallows. The Sheriff glanced hasti
at the telegram and dropped the hate
: ct which he held In his hand.
$50 up on the scaffold, Clifton, ar
read it to us, cried thousand voice
Il A STIRRING SCENE.
Il Tatnall is the attorneys native count
Everybody down there knows him, an
there was not man in the crowd WI
did not recognize his tall, broad for
as he elbowed his way to the Sherit
) Taking ex-senator Mattox by the ar
r Colonel Clifton stepped briskly up c
3 the platform, and, without waiting f
r Leggett to be unbound, read the di
patch from Governor Gordon, grantiu
a respite for thirty days. He read a
other telegram addressed to himsel
to the effect that reprieve had be,
granted. He then read a third di
patch, inquiring if the first and seoor
D had been received.
The telegram had a magical effe
upon the crowd. Leggett stood